Page 14 of Tricked By the Alien Prince

I desperately want to ask her more about her parents, but cycles of training have taught me that such a conversation would likely not go well between two complete strangers. There’s a story there, one that I hope she will one day feel comfortable enough to reveal.

“Ah, so you are at least aware of other species,” I reply, doing my best to direct our conversation to slightly safer topics.

Maya nods. “Before I left Earth, I was a tier five citizen. I’ve had a couple of chances to interact with different species. Nearly married one once.” She gives me a brief glance before she continues talking. Her lips quirk. “You’re not the scariest male I’ve ever seen.”

I huff in disbelief, a jolt of frustration—no, jealousy running through my body. This female is absolutely confounding!

“Well, you should be scared of me,” I tell her with all seriousness. Sure, I don’t look like Tanis who towers over even me, and I lack his muscular build, but compared to her tiny frame I must appear impressive. Many fear me, even Tanis, yet she taunts me. Me! I’d say she’s standing tall and proud, just she is still so much smaller than I am.

Maya gives me a secret smile, her eyes glittering. Then she turns, leaving me standing in absolute bewilderment.

“Maybe I am just acting friendly so you are unafraid of me,” I call after her. Immediately I curse at myself. Why did I say that? Why did I give her the impression she can’t trust me and my words. The whole point is to gain her trust, to take her home…

Why does this female make me feel like a youngling determined to impress her, to make her see me as strong and capable of protecting her? I am strong and hold a powerful position in sulthari court. She should be impressed. I shouldn’t need to try, I just am.

Maya glances at me, brow furrowed.

“I do not wish to scare you though,” I quickly assure her. “I am merely pointing out my better qualities. You should consider me an escort, a protector. After all, your friend askedmefor help, so I will do so.”

Maya’s steps falter, and for a brief moment a flash of pain crosses her eyes. In a moment it’s gone, replaced with her stern resolve and determination.

“You’ve already helped me with those three guards, so thank you,” Maya replies stiffly. “I don’t expect you to accompany me any further. I’m sure you are busy yourself.”

I shrug, feeling the sting of how she doesn’t want me around. I am honestly enjoying her company, far more than I thought I would. Our conversations aren’t free-flowing or unguarded, but they are engaging. “Not busy enough to abandon your side in the middle of the wilderness. So what are we doing?”

“I am going for a walk,” Maya replies rather elusively, brushing me off. To emphasize her point, she changes direction slightly and sets off again with a firm step, this time avoiding slipping in the icy mud puddles.

Ah, but I won’t be having that. I want her to tell me everything. I want her to open up to me, trust me, and give me all of herself.

“A walk usually implies a destination. So where are we headed?”

Maya gives me a long, considering glance. She doesn’t have markings for me to gauge her emotions, but thankfully her face is equally expressive. Eventually, she gives a long, suffering sigh. She pulls her device out of her skirt pocket and flicks the screen to life. She holds it out to me, though the tightness of her grip implies she’s not going to hand it over completely.

“This is the map of the area. I’m going to this building here,” she taps at the location with a delicate finger and long fingernail.

I stare down at what she has shown me for a long moment. I know this location well; all my people do. It’s probably the one reason that my people have maintained our power for so long on this blasted planet.

“Why do you want to go there?” I ask her, keeping my voice as even as possible. Curiosity burns at me how she came by this map, though I guess it was only a matter of time before the location was leaked to the surface dwellers; everyone panders for strength and control in this world, and my people are the same.

Maya bites her lip, her eyes flickering between her tablet and mine, indecisive. I’m a stranger to her, and she doesn’t know if she can trust me. Wise, for not trusting a stranger… I’m more startled by how strongly I want her to trust me.

“I know this location very well. It’s only accessible by a couple of select tunnels, and I’d guess that only a few know how to access it. Conveniently for you, I’m one of them.”

I don’t voice how only a few souls have permission to go anywhere near the location. It’s heavily guarded. Only the highest ranked warriors, ones who have proven themselves to our people, have the privilege of patrolling the tunnels nearby for intruders. Only those who are infinitely trusted.

“Can you take me there?” She asks me, her voice hesitant as if she’s afraid to hear the answer.

I hesitate. What purpose does this little female have going there? I bite my tongue, refusing to voice my myriad of questions. I rub my chest, fighting this strange stem of jealousy at the thought she does this for another. I’ll get answers, eventually, I always do. With a female such as her, I’m sure I can find some creative ways to get her to scream and spill…and maybe even beg.

The little female steps back, eyes narrowing on me.

“I can,” I tell her quickly, seeing her withdrawal. Because I need a female. Any female, really, but this one’s presence screams at me until she’s all I can notice. She’s the one I want.

What are the chances of coming across a female willing to leave her territory, unescorted even? It’d hardly take any effort at all to guide her where I need her. I can take her home with me, stand her before my father and the council, and prove that I am ready to lead my people.

Maya will never reach her destination. Even if I wanted to take her there, it would be foolish. It would put her at risk, and make her people an enemy of mine. She will never step foot in that place.

I stare into Maya’s eyes and smile. It feels forced.

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